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dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (if I could give it more I would)
This book had me solving Jet’s murder with her. Everything was so well woven together by the end of the narrative. While I figured out who the killer was it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I’m traumatized even though I knew how it would end. I mean the ending had me crying and I don’t think I’ve ever shed tears while reading.
At first I thought Jet was a rude and blunt character who was a little bit of a jerk but as the story progressed she grew on me. I came to realize she was that way because of her past and how she was raised. Billy, her childhood best friend who helps her solve her own murder was her polar opposite in the best way. I loved their friendship!
I loved every minute of this book and I hope Holly Jackson never stops writing traumatizing stories! (I’ll be sending her my therapy bills)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this one when I first started. I thought it was a little dark for my tastes because why do I want to read a book, fall in love with the main character only to know she can’t possibly have a happy ending??
In spite of all of that, Holly Jackson somehow made this dark, heart-breaking story have some of the best dry humor and comedy along with the most tender thoughtful moments I’ve ever read in a thriller. I raced through this book in under 48 hours & I was constantly annotating funny and sweet moments…all while the FMC is slowly dying & trying to solve her murder? 😅
This was definitely a super unique story and it was full of all of the interesting twists and turns you know and love from Holly Jackson. However, my favorite part was Jet. She was such a vibrant character, so funny and at times mean & brash (but who wouldn’t be while coping w/ that fate) and following her and Billy while they go on this journey together & have these small moments of living were the best pieces to this well-crafted roller coaster ride of a murder mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holly Jackson obviously did it again. Although will see i figured out who killed jet early on just didn’t have all the either details
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcohol
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not Quite Dead Yet, the new YA mystery novel from Holly Jackson in which a woman solves her own murder. A fascinating premise. After enjoying all of Jackson’s previous novels, I immediately dived into this one.
Not Quite Dead Yet
By Holly Jackson
4/5⭐️
On Halloween, 27-year-old Jet Mason is attacked in her home. Upon awakening, she is told that she has seven days at most until she is unavoidably killed by a brain aneurysm. Jet becomes determined to finally do something with her life, and declares that she will solve her own murder, accompanied by her childhood friend Billy.
I want to start this review by mentioning that I somehow guessed who was responsible for Jet’s death extremely early on, and this unfortunately reduced the exhilarating rush I always get at the end of Jackson’s novels, with the all-is-revealed confrontation scene. I definitely prefer the tension created by not knowing who it is, but am still quite pleased with myself. On the last slide, I’ve explained how I realised who it was, if you’ve already read this book.
Characters included the optimistic protagonist Jet, the kind-hearted Billy, Jet’s annoying brother and horrible sister-in-law, kind father, and pressuring mother. There is also the adorable dog.
Jet and Billy solve the mystery through breaking-and-entering, confrontations, social media, and recalling past evens. Meanwhile, symptoms of Jet’s aneurysm grow, from dizziness to losing the use of an arm, as her time runs out.
This book took me less than a day to read, as did Jackson’s previous two standalone novels. It had the same easily read writing style, confident protagonist, and a complex truth hidden behind mystery.
I recommend this one if you enjoy a good fast-paced mystery.
Not Quite Dead Yet
By Holly Jackson
4/5⭐️
On Halloween, 27-year-old Jet Mason is attacked in her home. Upon awakening, she is told that she has seven days at most until she is unavoidably killed by a brain aneurysm. Jet becomes determined to finally do something with her life, and declares that she will solve her own murder, accompanied by her childhood friend Billy.
I want to start this review by mentioning that I somehow guessed who was responsible for Jet’s death extremely early on, and this unfortunately reduced the exhilarating rush I always get at the end of Jackson’s novels, with the all-is-revealed confrontation scene. I definitely prefer the tension created by not knowing who it is, but am still quite pleased with myself. On the last slide, I’ve explained how I realised who it was, if you’ve already read this book.
Characters included the optimistic protagonist Jet, the kind-hearted Billy, Jet’s annoying brother and horrible sister-in-law, kind father, and pressuring mother. There is also the adorable dog.
Jet and Billy solve the mystery through breaking-and-entering, confrontations, social media, and recalling past evens. Meanwhile, symptoms of Jet’s aneurysm grow, from dizziness to losing the use of an arm, as her time runs out.
This book took me less than a day to read, as did Jackson’s previous two standalone novels. It had the same easily read writing style, confident protagonist, and a complex truth hidden behind mystery.
I recommend this one if you enjoy a good fast-paced mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, Terminal illness
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holly Jackson does it again. I’m crying on the train.
So many intriguing stories that line up at the end. A big twist to finish it off. A heartbreaking final chapter to finish me off. I’ll never get sick of her writing.
So many intriguing stories that line up at the end. A big twist to finish it off. A heartbreaking final chapter to finish me off. I’ll never get sick of her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really loved this. I did guess the killer early on but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book (and I still thought I could be wrong). Another great one from Holly Jackson. Her best since A Good Girl’s Guide
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I LOVED Holly Jackson’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” (though I have my gripes with book 3), and just love the way she puts together a story. So of course, I was beyond excited to get my hands on her debut adult novel “Not Quite Dead Yet.” And as I expected, this one did not disappoint.
The premise was unique enough that it made the book feel fresh, while retaining classic murder mystery elements that also made the book a perfect genre fit. I really enjoyed the characters’ layered and complex relationships, and the more I found out the more I felt compelled to keep reading and unraveling allllll the secrets. It was more of a melancholy who-dun-it than most, but if you love the genre like me then I think you’ll appreciate this interesting twist on the concept.
[Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for an advance reader copy of this book!]
The premise was unique enough that it made the book feel fresh, while retaining classic murder mystery elements that also made the book a perfect genre fit. I really enjoyed the characters’ layered and complex relationships, and the more I found out the more I felt compelled to keep reading and unraveling allllll the secrets. It was more of a melancholy who-dun-it than most, but if you love the genre like me then I think you’ll appreciate this interesting twist on the concept.
[Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for an advance reader copy of this book!]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Gun violence
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ARC Review - Releasing July 22, 2025
My Rating: 4 ⭐️
“Jet is going to solve her own murder.”
Yeah, I was hooked.
This book was a total page-turner — I couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing it in a day. The central mystery, Jet’s race against time to solve her own murder, pulled me in from the start. While some twists were predictable, it was still compelling to watch everything unravel. That ending? Did not see it coming.
Following Jet and Billy on their chaotic, week-long investigation was both satisfying and heartbreaking. Watching their friendship slowly mend was emotional, especially knowing how limited their time was. Jet’s “nothing to lose” energy brought tension and urgency to every scene, and Billy? An absolute sweetheart. Their dynamic really carried the story. I was happy, sad, and just a little furious by the end.
Jet’s character arc was tragically beautiful, but I’ll admit she sometimes felt more like a teenager than a 27-year-old — especially in her early interactions with other characters.
There were also a few moments that stretched believability, particularly as Jet’s condition worsened. I can’t speak from experience, so maybe that’s just me.
My only real complaint? The ending felt a bit incomplete. I wanted more closure, especially from the side characters and their reactions to the final reveal.
Still, if you want a murder mystery with friendship and a few tears, this one’s for you. Perfect for a suspenseful October/November read — and yes, bring tissues.
---
A huge thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
I read this in one sitting, and man I haven't done that in so long. I fear I don't read a lot of thrillers, so I don't have much to compare this to, but I definitely enjoyed it. There was a unique mystery, family drama, droplets of a romance and solid plot twists. I didn't really come to love our main character, though I am grateful for that because the ending is so sad even though you know it's coming. This book is also definitely not YA which I did not know going in, so im intrigued to hear what people think of an adult thriller from Holly Jackson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail